Economic Impact Resources

The Trust for Public Land economic impact report
Pennsylvania's Return on Investment in the Keystone, Recreation and Park Conservation Fund 

Economic Value of Heritage Areas
The Economic Impact of Heritage Areas Study 

Pennsylvania's Statewide Historic Preservation Plan 2012-2017
Building Better Communities: The Preservation of Place in Pennsylvania 
Pennsylvania's Statewide Historic Preservation Plan 2012-2017, Full Report (PDF)

Available Now!  Free Resource Guide On How to Save Your Park and Recreation Department 
NRPA understands that now more than ever park and recreation departments need every bit of data and research available to prove their value.  Download this free report today to get direct access to statistics on topics such as Economic Impact, Disparities in Parks and Recreation, Health & Physical activity and much more.  
SAVE YOUR PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENT REFERENCE MATERIAL

The Economic Significance and Impact of Pennsylvania State Parks: An Assessment of Visitor Spending on the State and Regional Economy
This study presents data on the direct and indirect impacts state park visitors have on Pennsylvania’s economy.
Summary - State Parks Study
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/thingstoknow/economicimpact/index.htm

2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
This survey collects information on the number of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers; how often they participate; and how much they spend on their activities in the United States.
Summary - Fishing Hunting and Wildlife Survey
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/NationalSurvey/nat_survey2006_final.pdf

Pennsylvania’s Recreation Plan 2004-2008: Executive Summary
This report devises a plan to improve outdoor recreation opportunities throughout
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Summary - Recreation Guide
ExecSummary.pdf

DCNR Outdoor Traveler Study
This study calculates and explains useful market and economic data on Pennsylvania’s tourism regions and the impacts outdoor recreation has on the state and regional economies.
Summary - DCNR Outdoor Traveler Study
 

Pennsylvania Heritage Tourism Study
This report provides market intelligence on Pennsylvania’s Heritage Tourism
industry and then compares the findings to those of the DCNR Outdoor
Traveler Study that was conducted for the same year, 1997.
Summary - Heritage Tourism Study 

 

Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Economy Report

Everything grows outside, including jobs and the economy.  This report on the outdoor recreation economy in Pennsylvania by the Outdoor Industry Association provides concrete data from 2011 and 2012 that supports the statement that outdoor recreation is essential to the American economy.

Summary - Economic Impact Study 

 

 

 

 

Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and Conewago Recreation Trail 2011 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis
This survey provides information on monitoring trail user characteristics and economic impact. 
Summary - Lebanona Valley Rail-Trail and Conewago Recreation Trail

A Comparison of Nine Pennsylvania Trails
This table was created to compare the expenditures of trail users while visiting the Schuylkill River Trail, Ghost Town Trail, Perkiomen Trail, Pine Creek Rail Trail, Heritage Rail Trail County Park, Oil Heritage Region Trail System, Lower Trail, Armstrong Trail, and the Great Allegheny Passage.
Trail Survey Comparisons Table

Schuylkill River Trail: 2009 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis
This survey provides information on trail user characteristics, needs, trail maintenance strengths and weaknesses, and the economic impacts of the Schuylkill River Trail; a multi-use pathway that generally follows the course of the Schuylkill River from Pottsville to Philadelphia, PA.
Summary - Schuylkill River Trail
http://community.railstotrails.org/media/p/6865.aspx

Ghost Town Trail: 2009 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis
This survey provides information on trail user characteristics, the economic impacts of the trail, area demographics, and user opinions of the Ghost Town Trail; a multi-use trail in western Pennsylvania traversing 36 miles from Ebensburg in Cambria County to Saylor Park in Black Lick, Indiana County.
Summary - Ghost Town Trail
http://community.railstotrails.org/media/p/8037.aspx or
GhostTownTrailUsersSurveyfinal.pdf

Perkiomen Trail: 2008 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis
This survey provides information on trail user characteristics, the economic impacts of the trail, area demographics, and user opinions of the Perkiomen Trail; a multi-use trail running along Perkiomen Creek in southeast Pennsylvania that connects to the Schuylkill River Trail.
Summary - Perkiomen Trail Survey
http://community.railstotrails.org/media/p/12.aspx

Pine Creek Rail Trail: 2006 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis
This study provides information on trail user characteristics, the economic impacts of the trail, area demographics, and user opinions of the Pine Creek Rail Trail; a destination trail located in the north-central part of Pennsylvania, beginning at Ansonia and ending at Jersey Shore.
Summary - Pine Creek Rail Trail Survey
http://community.railstotrails.org/media/p/11.aspx

Trail User Surveys and Economic Impact: A Comparison of Trail User Expenditures
This report compares economic and demographic data from seven rail-trails in Pennsylvania and seven rail-trails in the northeast United States that were comparable to those in PA.
Summary - Trail User Survey
http://www.railstotrails.org

Trail Town Economic Impact Study (Phase I: Business Survey)
This study updated data from a 2005 economic impact study that was conducted before the Great Allegheny Passage was completed. The study focuses on the impacts the trail has on local businesses.
Summary - GAP Trail Town
http://www.trailtowns.org/

2008 Trail Town Economic Impact Study (Phase II: Trail User Survey)
This study was conducted to find economic and demographic data on trail users and how they impact the Great Allegheny Passage.
Summary - GAP Trail Town 2
http://www.trailtowns.org/

The Great Allegheny Passage: Economic Impact Study (Phase III: 2007-2008)
This report compares the differences in business operations and sales revenues during the time period of 2007 to 2008.
Summary - GAP Trail Town 3
http://www.trailtowns.org/

Armstrong Trail 2010 User Survey and Economic Impat Analysis
The Armstrong Trail is a multi-use, communitybased trail that runs 34.8 miles in Pennsylvania from Ford City in Armstrong County to East Brady in Clarion County. This survey was designed to monitor trail user characteristics and economic impact.
Armstrong Trail 2010 User Survey

Conservation: An Investment that Pays The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space
The main focus of this paper is to discuss the economic importance of parks and open spaces to urban communities surrounding the open spaces.
Summary - Parks and Open Space
http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/EconBenefitsReport_7_2009.pdf

The Economic Benefits of Open Space, Recreation Facilities & Walkable Community Design
This research synthesis focuses on “private” benefits that accrue to nearby homeowners and to other users of open space.
Summary - Economic Benefits of Open Space
http://www.activelivingresearch.org/files/Synthesis_Shoup-Ewing_March2010.pdf
 

How Much Value Does the City of Philadelphia Receive from its Park & Recreation System?
This study discusses the importance of parks to the city of Philadelphia regarding property values, tax revenues, pollution control, tourism spending, consumer saving, and residential health.
Summary - Philadelphia Parks
http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/Philaparkvaluereport.pdf